ROING, Nov 7: A state-level review meeting on the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) was inaugurated by MLA Mutchu Mithi here in Lower Dibang Valley district on Thursday.
During the meeting, which was attended by, among others, ADC Tapik Pertin, DHS Dr Moromor Lego, Family Welfare Director Dr Allok Yirang, DMO Dr R Ratan, and representatives from various districts, the MLA commended the health & family welfare department for implementing the national programmes and working towards minimizing the spread of epidemic outbreaks in the state.
“Poverty and disease go hand-in-hand, but with improving economic conditions and increasing awareness about diseases, the health status of the state is improving,” said Mithi.
The MLA requested for “posting human resource to man the health infrastructure in the district.”
Dr Lego highlighted the importance of participation of the communities and NGOs in dissemination of information on the basic practices for preventing vector-borne diseases, like preventing formation of stagnant water, ensuring clean surroundings, etc.
“Such practices should become a part of our daily life,” the DHS added.
Dr Yirang highlighted the aims and objectives of the NVBDCP. “The Centre has set 2030 as the target year to eradicate malaria in the country, and our state has set 2025 as the target year,” he said.
He informed that Arunachal has registered a declining trend in malaria cases in the last few years and reported no malaria deaths since 2017.
“Although the state has registered only 143 malaria cases till September 2019, there has been an increase in dengue, Japanese encephalitis (44 detected and two deaths in 2019) and chikungunya (13 detected cases in 2019) cases,” he added.
The ADC stressed on the importance of delivering good healthcare services. DVBDCPO Dr N Yirang and the DMO also spoke. (DIPRO)
